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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Handmade Paper and Little Weavings

Let me start off by saying how much I appreciated everybody's wonderful comments in regards to my last post. Forever restless and feeling like I am in some way flawed because I have a hard time staying on track with one thing for very long, (trust me this was a trait that met with much disapproval during my formative school years) your comments instead made me feel that this was a positive quality! That's a good thing, as I have once again moved onto something else to explore...

I awoke the other day with a sudden urge to make paper, something I haven't done in a good 15 years. Luckily, as the process is simple and the materials are easily accessible, it all came back to me very quickly, and I was off making paper in no time!

In order to make paper you first must make a pulp. To make my pulp I shredded old manila mailing envelopes and other unwanted mail and documents which I soaked in water and pulverized in a blender. After pulling some sheets of paper from this pulp mixture, I decided to add some more interest with bits of torn red tissue paper and dried grass clippings from the yard. (That's the great part of making paper, all the different things you can add to the mix!)

Once the paper was all dried, I selected a couple of pieces and did tiny little weavings directly into and on top of the paper.

For the first little weaving, I used a variegated blue perle cotton yarn. I strung the warp, (the vertical threads in a weaving) directly through the paper, then wove the weft, (that would be the horizontal threads) right on top of the surface.

A hand stitched boarder was added for the finishing touch. The piece was mounted on another piece of handmade paper the same size to give the back a nice clean look, (I never like a messy back on anything).

The next little weaving was done with a variegated sewing thread, (Sulky Cotton Blendables). I love all the different stripes created in this one.

Two hand stitched boarders were added to this piece, and then the work was mounted on a slightly larger piece of handmade paper.

And if you would like to see some really wonderful examples of stitch work on paper, be sure to check out the work of both Contemporary Embroidery and Missouri Bend. Without a doubt they have both inspired me.

29 comments:

These are really lovely, Victoria - and I'm amazed that they started life as manilla envelopes. Thanks for the links too; Missouri Bend is new to me. As a fellow serial flitter, I'm finding it a challenge to stick to a series and will enjoy some serious flitting when it's finished!

I love making paper! I taught kids for several years how to do it so never really got to make my own. Here you go, taking it to the next wonderful level! You always, and I mean this, make me want to stop everything and try what you've shown. One day maybe I'll be able to! Thanks!

What a wonderful use for handmade paper. I've made paper and used it for cards and handmade book covers, but never made the mental leap to combine it with the sewing and embroidery I also do -- I wonder why I never made that now obvious connection? Your pieces are lovely, and not unlike your boro patchwork in aesthetic. Nice!

Oh be still my beating heart ... paper (my secret thang) and thread? and weaving? drool ... lovely ... and never worry about not sitting at something for too long ... it's how we find all our passions ...

Oh my, how absolutely gorgeous your work is! I have been doing a bit of needleweaving myself lately and just love the technique. I had never thought about using paper as a substrate, though. Darn, I know I should never throw anything away - I just tossed a box full of paper I made because I didn't really like the color, but it would have been perfect for a weaving! Thank you for the eye candy!

Beautiful! How did you do this so intricately without ripping the paper? I tried this but my embroidery kept ripping the handmade paper, even when I punched the holes first. I guess my handmade paper wasn't as stable. I'll have to try again!

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